Tiller-positioning device



Filed Sept. 21, 1922 w z/ 25 M 22 Z5 INVENTOR.'

ATTORNEYS. i

Patented July 27, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EUGENE P. GLEASON, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, .ASSIGNOR TO EVINRUDE IIOTOR COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

I 'IILLER-POSITION IN G DEVICE.

Application filed September 21, 1922. Serial No. 589,506.

This invention relates to improvements in tiller positioning devices.

' It is'the primary object of this invention to produce a, simple device adapted for as- !J sociation with the tiller of any small craft and so constructed as to yieldably engage the tiller when the tiller is in its intermediate or straight-steering position.

It is a further important object of this invention to provide a tiller engaging device of such a character that it will yieldably engage the tiller and hold it in a normally straight position but which will require no F manipulation to effect. the release or engagement of the tiller and will interfere as little as possible with the normal use of the tiller to steer the craft.

The present embodiment of the invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with outboard motors-and it is one of the objects of this invention to provide tiller engaging mechanism which may readily be applied to any ordinary type of outboard motor to engage the steering tiller of the motor and thereby hold the craft to a straight course. As will be shown hereinafter the present embodiment of this invention is so designed'as to permit of the use of agencies, already existing, upon certain outboard motors for the attachment thereto of the positioning mechanism.

A further object of this invention relates to the provision of adjustable mechanism in association with a positioning deviceof this general character whereby windpi essures upon the bow of the craft, tending to divert it from its course, may be allowed for and whereby the device may be made operable to maintain the tiller in any oneof a plurality of pos tions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide mechanism of the simplest possible character consistent with the objects sought.

In the drawings Figure l is a front elevation of a device embodying this invention as it appears applied to a well known type of outboard motor, the cylinder of the motor being shown in vertical transverse section.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the inverted device shown in Fig. 1, the drive shaft and shaft housing of the motor being shown in sectio Figure 3 is a front-elevation of the tiller positioning attachment shownin Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a detail view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the "application to an outboard motor of a modified tiller positioning attachment embodying this invention.

Figure 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4. 1

Figure 6 is a detail view of a construction slightly modified from that shown in ig. 4. Like p reference characters throughout the several views.

I wish it to be clearly understood that the tiller, positionin device herein disclosed is adapted for use in association with any type of steering tiller. The illustration herein of the device applied to the tiller of an outboard motor is'to be taken as merely illustrative of the uses to which this invention is adapted.

In the drawings 1 have illustrated conventionally certain of the more prominent elements of a well known type ofo tboard motor. 10 represents the crank 'case to which the flange 11 of the cylinder block 12 is secured by suitable cap screws 13. The crank shaft 14 is vertically disposed and is provided at its upper end with a fly wheel 15. concentrically disposed with reference to the shaft 14 is a sleeve shaft 16 by the rotation of which the steering operation is performed. It will be understood thdt the sleeve shaft dirigible supports a gear hous ing andpropeller shaft and is adapted by its rotation to direct the thrust of the propeller at any one of a plurality of positions and thereby to efiect the steering of the craft to which the outboard motor is applied. Such an arrangement is shown in the following named Letters Patent of the United States, #1,011,930, December 19, 1911, #1901260, August 22, 1911, and #1,191,211, July 18, 1916. 17 represents a tiller element which may either be secured directly to the steering sleeve 16 or may act thereon through the *intermediation of latch mechanism, such as is shown in the last parts are identified by t jsame l to side, I wish it to be clearly understood that it is immaterial to this invention, in

. is provided.

mentioned patent. The tiller 18 projects forwardly from the element 17 beneath the cylinder 12 toa point where it can conveniently be grasped and operated. It will be understood that when the tiller is swung from side to side its motion will be transmitted through the sleeve shaft 16 to the propeller which will, correspondingly, be oscillated bodily from side to side with its axis in a plurality of angular positions thereby eflfecting the steering of the craft to which the outboard motor is attached.

While. however. I have illustrated an outboard motor in which steering is accomplished by turning the propeller from side its broader aspect, whether steering be accomplished by turning the propeller from side to side, or by turning a rudder in the usual manner. In either case the operation of the tiller positioning attachment hereinafter to be described will be the same. It will be noted also that in the present showing the tiller 18 is represented as being semi-cylindrical and is provided with an interiorly disposed rod 19 arranged for the actuation of latch mechanism such as is disclosed in Patent #1,191,211, cited above. It will be brought out hereinafter, however, that the tiller engaging mechanism, which forms the particular subject matter of this application, is adapted for operative association with any type of tiller regardless of its shape or construction.

In the embodiment of my invention which is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a single piece of spring wire is preferably employed and such wire is bent to the form best shown in Fig. 3.

At each end of the wire a or eye 21 Immediately ad iac'ent the eyes 21 the wire is bent to form helical coils 22 from which the extremities 23 which carry eyes 21 project inwardly. Any desired numberof turns ofwire may be utilized to make up the coils 22 provided only that the desired resiliency and strength be secured. a

The coils 22 are spaced apart by an intermediate length 24 of the wire. As shown in Fig. 3 the length 24 preferably joins each coil at a point diametrically opposite from that at which the extremities 23 project. Substantially midway between the coils 22 the portion 24 of the coil is up wardly bent as at 25 to forma sector 25 open at its bottom and adapted to receive a tiller such as tiller 18. The sector is preferably offset downwardly by the provision of reversely curved portions 26 of the wire. This construction brings the sector into operative juxtaposition to the tiller while permitting the tiller to remain substantially out of contact with the remainder of the device during such times as it is not in registry with the sector 25.

A device such as is shown in Fig. 3 is particularly adapted for'application to an outboard motor of the type above described. The eyes 21 are made of a size adapted to receive cap screws 13 whereby the cylinder 12 is secured to crank case 10. These cap screws may be removed therefor and inserted through the eyes 21 prior to their replacement. \Vhen the cap screws are screwed firmly into place the tiller positioning device will be rigidly positioned in o erative association with the tiller 18. T e interaction of the parts is clearly shown in Fig. 1 which illustrates the tiller 18 engaged within the sector and thereby positioned to maintain a straight course under normal conditions.

The arrangement is such that by the operation of the helical springs 22 the concave element 25 is forced. downwardly to a position such that it will yieldingly engage the tiller when the tiller isin registry therewith. The action of the device is entirely automatic. \Vhen the tiller registers with the sector 25 the resilient downward pressure of the sector, responsive to the action of the helical springs 22, tends to cause the tiller to seek 'andretain an intermediate position wherein it is disposed within the highest portions of the sector. When, however, it is desired to actuate the tiller toward either side in order to turn the craftfrom a straight course such a movement of the tiller acts upon the downwardly'bowed portions'26 in a cam like manner, thereby elevating the intermediate section 24 of the wire and readily releasing the tiller from engagement with the sector 25. Thus the tiller is movable with the utmost freedom and its movement, except in approaching or receding from sector 25, is wholly unimpeded. Some slight resistance is offered to tiller movement by the downwardly projecting bows 26 upon either side of sector 25, but such resistance is barely suflicient to retain the tiller in the desired central position when it registers with the sector.

It must also be apparent that within the capacity of the.sector 25 any shape or size oftiller will be positioned thereby with equal facility. Regardless of. the tillers shape it will necessarily have to act upon the cam like downwardly bowed portions 26 and elevate the intermediate section 21 of the wire against the pressure of springs 22 before it can escape from engagement with the sector 25. Thus a device of this character, whether or not it'be supported from cap screws as shown herein, is adapted for engagement with any kind of tiller whatsoever.

In Figs. '1 and 5 I have shown a modified tween arms 35.

"leaves a sector it elevates device which is not only adapted to retain a tiller in. any one of a plurality of positions but is also adjustable to compensate for wind ressure exerted laterally upon the bow of the craft and tending to divert it from its course.

The modified device may comprise a pair of stampings 2S and 29, each of which is bent to form a broad U. The member 28 is apertured in its preferred form to receive cap screws 13, whereby it may be secured to an outboard motor. But it will be understood that any other desired arrangement may be made for mounting the device. The forwardly extending arms 30 of member 28 are apertured to receive a rod 31 which may be threaded at 32 and provided with a wing nut 33. A nut 34 of the ordinary hexagonal or square type may. be positioned upon the rod 31 just within one of the projecting arms 30 of member 28. Member 29 is provided with a pair of apertured rearwardly extending arms 35, one of which may be bent at 36 to contact with one face of nut 34 and v thereby to secure the member 29 to rod 31 for rotation therewith.

stood that rod 31 received tures of arms supports the member 29 from the arms 30 of member 28. A helical spring 38 having one extremity 39 hooked above member 29 is wound upon rod 31 be- The extremityAO of the spring may contact with a relatively stationary portion of the motor or of the de- Itwill be underthrough the apervice. In the present embodiment it is shown in contact with the head of one of the cap screws 13.

The lower margin of member 29 is provided with three sectors 25, 41 and 42. The tiller 18 is illustrated in registry with sector 25. It will be understood that any desired number of sectors may be provided. In this device the downwardly on either side of the sectors are not found, and it will be noted that when the tiller member 29 and retains itin its elevated position until the 1 tiller is engaged with the same or another sector.

It will be understood that the member 29 is normally urged by spring 38 to move downwardly about rod 31 as a pivot. The downward movement is limited by the tiller and the arrangement is such that when the tiller goes into registry with a sectorupon the lower margin of member 29 said member is allowed to move a trifle further downwardly and is thereby engaged with the tiller to prevent lateral movement thereof in either direction. If the tiller is engaged with sector 25 and the member 29 is centrally disposed between the arms 30 of member 28, it will be obvious that the propeller shaft will be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the craft and will tend to drive the craft curving bows 26 up upon a straight course. Similarly, if the tiller is engaged with either of the sectors 41 or 42 it will be maintained in a position tending to direct the craft upon a given curving course. If, however, lateral Wind pressure upon the bow of the craft tends to turn it from its course compensation may be made for such nut 33.

It will be understood that in an outboard motor of the type above described, there is a considerable reaction thrust developed in the gearing which drives the propeller. This thrust is transmitted through the rotatable steering shaft 16. As viewed'in Fig. 5, this thrust tends to move'the tiller 18 in a clockwise direction and it is only necessary therefor to provide a single wing nut upon the rod 31 to control adequately the position of the tiller. The wing nut is upon the right hand endof rod 31 and is thus adapted to transmit directly to the arm 30 of member 28 any force tending to move the tiller clock,- wise. The adjustment of the tiller is made by rotating the wing nut 33 upon rod 31. If the wing nut be turned up the rod 31 will be moved axially in opposition to the reactionary force of the tiller applied thereto through any given sector; If, on the other hand, the wing nut be unscrewed upon said rod the rod will be moved by the pressure of the tiller exerted thereon through any given sector to maintain the wing nut in contact with the arm 30. From'the foregoing it will be obvious that a very fine adjustment is possible to compensate. for wind pressures upon the bows of craft driven by an outboard motor of this type.

here the tiller does not control a rotatable tubular shaft, such as the shaft 16 to which the reactionary torque of the driving mechanism is applied, it is possiblefito position the rod 31 accurately with respect to one of the arms 30 by notching the arm 30 at 43 as is shown in Fig. 6. The wing nut pressure by turning the wing 44 receivable within the notch 43, whereby the nut is secured against axial movement with reference to the arm 30. Any other well known means may be used to secure the wing nut 33 against axial movement and thereby to render theh device operable in association with tillers which control rudders or any other steering devices.

It will be noted from the foregoing that in the preferred forms of this invention the several objects specified are fully and completely attained.

The device acts by yieldingly defining a position for the tiller which tends to maintain the craft upon a straight course. The engagement with the tiller ispreferably not positive and the arrangement is such preferably that the device Will interfere, to a minimum extent, with the normal operation of the tiller. The device can be so made that during normal manipulation of the tiller the operator will hardly, know that the device is active, and yet when the tiller is centrally positioned in registry with the sector 25 or 25' the device will engage the tiller with suflicient force to maintain it there positioned. It is valuable not only in positioning the tiller where long stretches are to be covered upon a given course, but is also valuable in that it defines'the neutral tiller position, a position which novices frequently find it diflicult to locate with any degree of accuracy.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comrisin a member havin a ainof s aced D cam surfaces defining an intermediate concave recess and yieldably supported for bodily movement, said device being adapted to be mounted in a relatively fixed position for releasable engagement with the sides of a tiller of standard construction.

2. The combination with a tiller mounted for oscillation, of a relatively fixed position' ing device disposed remote from the axis about which the tiller oscillates and trans versely of an intermediate tiller position and including spaced portions yieldably pressed,

into the path of oscillation of said tiller and adapted to be forced from said path by the tiller.

3. A device ofthe character described comprising integrally a pair of spaced coils and an intermediate connecting member disposed substantially in a plane normalto the axes of both coils'and provided with a generally concave portion adapted to receive a tiller.

4. The combination with a tiller mounted for oscillation, of a positioning device comprising a helical coil, and a member integral therewith and projecting therefrom substantially normal to the axis of said coil and into the path of said tiller, said member being provided with a generally concave portion positioned to receive said tiller and yieldable transversely with respect to the plane in which said tiller oscillates.

5. The combination with a movable steering element, of a member normally pressed in the direction of said element and substantially at right angles to the plane of movementof said element, and provided with a sector adapted to receive said element to define a desired position therefor.

6. The combination with a tiller movable for steering purposes, of a member formed with a sector adapted to receive a portion of said tiller, and means for urging said member in the direction of said tiller, and substantially at right angles to the plane of movement of said tiller, whereby a predetermined position thereof is defined.

7. The combination with a tiller movable between two extreme positions, of means [path of the tiller.

messes for defining one position of said tiller, said means comprising an element formed with a sector adapted to receive aportion of said tiller, means for urging said element in the direction of said tiller, and portions of said element upon either side of said sector bowed oppositely therefrom into the path of the tiller.

8. The combination with a tiller having a portion bodily movable between two extreme positions, of a device for defining one position of said tiller, said device com rising an element normally urged towar the path of said tiller and provided with a tiller engaging sector offset from said element in the direction of said path.

The combination with a tiller having a portion bodily movable about a remote axis,

of an element movable to and from the path a portion bodily movable about a remote axis,

of an element movable into the path of said tiller portion and provided withatiller enmeans for supporting one por- V gagin se'ctor, tion 0 said element, and a spring interposed between said su porting means and said sector and adapte to urge said sector into the 11. The combination with an outboard motor including a tiller handle pivoted for oscillation about an upright axis and adapted to eflect the steering of a craft to which said motor is attached, of means supported from said motor at a point remote from said axis and yieldably pressed in a direction substantially arallel to said axis and toward said tiller, said means being for nYed to define a redetermined position for said tiller.

12. he combination with an outboard motor provided with a tiller'pivoted for oscillation about an upright. axis and adapted V,

to effect the steerin of a craft to which said motor is attache of a tiller positioning element supported from said motor remote from said axis and including integrally a pair of helical coils and an intermediate member having a concave portion, said portion being normally presse by said coils toward the plane of movement of said tiller, whereby said element is adapted to define a tiller position which will normally. maintain said craft in a straight course.

13. The comb'nation with an outboard motor and a tiller adapted to control the course of a craft to which it is attached, of a device sup orted from said motor and rovided wit a sector resiliently urged in the direction of said tiller and adapted to engage said tiller in one position thereof.

into tiller engaging 14. The combination with an outboard motor provided with a tiller adapted to control the course of a craft to which the motor is attached, of an element disposed transversely of said tiller and provided with a' d tiller engaging sector, said element from the motor, and means interposed between said supporting means and said sector for resiliently urgingsaid sector position.

15. The combination with an outboard motor provided with a tiller adapted to control the course of a craft to which the motor is attached, of means for defining for said tiller a position normally maintaining such a craft upon a straight course, said means comprising an element formed with a properly positioned tiller engaging sector, a helical spring arranged to urge said gaging position, and means for sup orting said elements from said motor, said sector being adapted for automatic interaction with said tiller and being yieldably mounted for the automatic release thereof.

16. The combination with an outboard motor having a cylinder held in place by threaded elements, said motor being provided with atiller adapted to control the course of a craft to wh ch said motor is attachedpof a tiller positioning device provided with apertures adapted to receive said threaded elements, said device includin a tiller engaging sector resiliently urge into tiller engaging position.

17. device for positioning tiller, said device comprising a concave element adapted to receive a tiller, together with means for mounting said element for movement across and substantially at right means for supporting a swinging sector into tiller enangles to the plane in which said tiller swings in the path of a portion thereof.

18. A tiller positioning device comprising a pair of spaced helical springs, an intermeiate wire integral with each of said springs and formed with a tiller engaging sector, and an eye formed integrally with each of said springs and adapted to receive a securing element.

19. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a first fixed and a second part supported for bodily movement across said first part, of a positioning device mountable on one of said parts and adapted to engage and embrace the other, said device comprising a concave sector portion resiliently yieldable from'the part which it is adapted to engage.

20. In a device of the character described, the combination with a relatively fixed engine member and a tiller member having a portion bodily movable across said engine part relatively member, of a tiller positioning device supported from one-of said members and provided with a resiliently yieldable concave sector adapted for embracing engagement with the other of said members.

21. In a device of the character described, the combination with a relatively fixed structural member and a tiller member having a portiolrbodily movable across said structural member, of a tiller positioning device aplied to one of said members and adapted or engagementv with the other, said device comprising a pair of spaced helical springs and an integral intermediate element having a pair of spaced rounded teeth defining a concave sector.

EUGENE P. GLEASON. 

